Enlisted Superior Performer Award at WEST 2026

Nominate your superior enlisted Sailors, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen for the 2026 ESP program at WEST.

The Enlisted Superior Performer (ESP) Award presented by the U.S. Naval Institute and AFCEA International recognizes the service of those military members who have been selected by their commands for particularly superior service in the past year.

Great opportunity to recognize your top performers and recognize them by bringing them to WEST 2026.

Awardees will receive:

  • One-year membership to the U.S. Naval Institute and AFCEA International
  • Registration for WEST 2026 at the San Diego Convention Center, 10-12 February 2026. Registration includes 3 days of access to the exhibit floor, all keynotes, panel sessions, engagement theaters and floor receptions
  • Complimentary lunch for awardee and one guest on Wednesday, 11 February 2026
  • Recognition as awardee at the WEST Sea Service Chiefs Townhall taking place on Wednesday, 11 February from 11:30 to 1:15 pm PT
  • Free parking in the garage at the San Diego Convention Center on Wednesday, 11 February 2026
  • Award Certificate
  • Recognition on the WEST website and event App

Eligibility:

Open to enlisted personnel from the following Commands:

  • Coast Guard Pacific Area (Maritime Security Response Team West)
  • Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWARSYSCOM)
  • I Marine Expeditionary Force
  • Includes 1st MarDiv, 1st MLG, & 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing
  • Naval Air Forces Pacific
  • Navy Region Southwest
  • Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet
  • U.S. Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego
  • Navy Special Warfare Command
  • U.S. THIRD Fleet
  • Naval Medical Forces Pacific
  • Undersea Warfighting Development Center
  • Surface Mine Warfighting Development Center
  • Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center
  • Marine Corps Air Station Yuma
  • Marine Corps Installations West – Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton
  • Marine Corps West Wounded Warrior Battalion
  • Marine Corps Communications-Electronics School
  • Marine Corps Tactical Systems Support Activity

Nomination Instructions

  1. Create a New User Account on the Submission site
  2. Log in to your account
  3. Click on new submission (green plus mark)
  4. Submission Title (type ESP Nomination)
  5. Submission Category (Drop down to Enlisted Superior Performer)
  6. Click Submit
  7. First, click on 2026 ESP Nominations for WEST
  8. Type the nominee’s first name, last name, and email address. Click Add ESP Nominee.
  9. Click on ‘Edit Nominee Name Profile’ button to complete profile then click continue.
  10. Repeat steps 7 – 10 to add additional nominees.
  11. Once profile is complete for each nominee, click ‘Save ESP Nominees’ to complete task.
  12. Second, provide Nominator information by clicking #2 – ESP Nominator Information.
  13. Once all nominees have been entered and nominator information has been inputted Click Save Submission.

Submit Your Nominations
Market to Your Commands

Note: Prior to 16 January, you can login to your account at any time to add or delete nominees. To withdraw an ESP Nominee, under ESP Nominee List, click on the Red Remove Name button. Click Remove when prompted.

Selection Process

All nominated awardees will be accepted, and no write-ups are necessary. Commands know who their top performers are, and we trust that you have good reason to single them out. We rely on the parent and subordinate commands to determine what “Superior Performer” entails, respective to your individual units and mission. This program is an opportunity for commands to highlight their junior to mid-level superstars that might not otherwise be in the spotlight. Typical awardees rank from the junior E-3 to the more seasoned E-6.

Scott McBride | smcbride@usni.org | 410-295-1066